GRTU to present new government proposal to fuel station operators

Malta’s Chamber of SMEs (GRTU) will be presenting details of a new government proposal to fuel station operators on Monday, following a breakthrough in talks.

GRTU CEO Abigail Mamo said the chamber had held a positive meeting with Energy Minister Joe Mizzi on Saturday and would be presenting the proposal for members’ approval.

Mamo described the proposal as a positive one which would not effect consumers. 

Earlier this month, the chamber threatened industrial action by petrol stations owing to a lack of progress to provide some €21 million in government funds for petrol pump upgrades.

A GRTU study conducted in 2014 had found that 80 out of 90 petrol stations in Malta and Gozo need to change all their equipment, from the petrol pumps, to piping and the underground storage tanks in order to bring them in line with an EU directive.

The EU directive says that changes are to be made by 2020, and GRTU’s study back in 2014 found that a total of €21 million will cover the costs for this to happen.